Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur
Kundapur, Jan 7: In connection with the horrific accident involving a KSRTC bus and a tipper at Shetrakatte on the Neralakatte–Ajri–Siddapur road via Tallur on Monday, police have registered a case against three persons and taken two of them into custody.
Tipper driver Raghavendra and tipper owner Shridhar have been taken into custody in the case. A case has also been registered against Manjunath, the owner of the red soil plot from where the soil was sourced.
The collision between the KSRTC bus and the tipper left 18 passengers injured out of the 39 travelling in the bus. Among the injured, three persons, including two women students, sustained serious injuries and are undergoing treatment at KMC Hospital, Manipal. The case was registered based on a complaint lodged by the head of the KSRTC Kundapur depot. Kundapur Rural police circle inspector Santosh Kaikini and other staff are investigating the case.
As per the latest update, Kandlur PSI Naseer Hussain has been transferred to Ajekar police station. Yadav, the beat police constable of Kandlur police station has been suspended.
Illegal soil transportation has been cited as a key factor in the accident. It has been alleged that the tipper driver violated permit regulations by loading excess red soil beyond the permitted limit and drove the vehicle along a narrow road.
The complaint further states that despite being aware that his actions could endanger the lives of passengers travelling in oncoming vehicles, the tipper driver allegedly drove the vehicle at high speed without valid insurance or permit and collided with the KSRTC bus.
Meanwhile, among the three critically injured persons admitted to Manipal hospital, one is reported to be recovering, while the condition of the two PUC students remains critical. They are being treated in the intensive care unit and are under observation for 48 hours, according to medical sources at KMC.